SZABIST Global Conference on Research in Education and Social Sciences (GCORESS) was held from 10th-11th March 2023 at Media Studio, SZABIST, Karachi Campus. The theme for this year’s conference was “Social Sciences, Education and Culture in the Era of Globalization”. The conference included Workshops and Panel Discussions on the topics “‘ChatGPT and Education”, “Rethinking Leadership”, “Economic and Political Crisis in Pakistan”, “Crisis on Foundational Learning: Evidence from ASER Reports”, “Environmental for All: Justice Balancing Population Growth and Sustainability in Pakistan”, “Changing Cultural and Economic Scenario of Sindh”, “Non-Formal Education in Sindh”, “Girls Education: Status and The Way Forward” and “A Writer’s Dilemma”.
Our key note panelists include Prof. Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy (Eminent Educationist), Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed (Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Stockholm University), Mr. Arif Hasan (Hilal e Imtiaz), Town Planner/Civil Rights Activists), Dr. Karis Clarke (Associate Professor/Department Chair of Educational Leadership, Clark Atlanta University), Prof. Dr. Shahida Wizarat, Dean College of Economics and Social Development, IoBM), Dr. Kaiser Bengali (Economist), Najmuddin Shaikh (Former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan), Dr. Bela Raza Jamil (Chief Executive Officer, Idara e Taleem-o-Agahi (ITA), and many other prominent intellectuals participated in the two day conference.
Key Note speaker of the conference and eminent educationist Dr. Pervaiz Hoodbhoy spoke about the state of modernization in Pakistan in terms of research, education, politics and culture. He said “The basis of modernization is how you think”. Dr. Hoodbhoy shared the importance of rational thinking and research based on evidence and logic. Professor Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed (Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Stockholm University) shared his views on nationalism, feudalism, social hierarchy, the right for voting and contesting in public. Dr Ishtitaq also shared light on the political scenario which led to the partition of India and Pakistan.
The two-day conference included many topics which reflected the current economic, environmental and intellectual crisis in Pakistan. In the Panel Discussion titled “Environmental Justice for All: Balancing Population Growth and Sustainability in Pakistan.” Afia Salam (Climate Specialist) emphasized on the urgency of climate reforms in Pakistan. The recent floods and the resulting devastations are a living proof of the climate change. Afia also shed light on the plight of the women specially mothers who are living in unprivileged areas of Pakistan and how the recent floods have made life even more difficult over there. She talked about how the adverse effects of lack of family planning on maternal health as well as on childcare.
According to Afia an unhealthy population could make Pakistan more vulnerable and unprepared to deal with natural calamities. Madam Shahnaz Wazir Ali (President SZABIST) shared her views as to what are the systems and process which are in place which ensures environmental justice. She said that “Environmental justice means that each one of us has the right to clean air, to adequate space, to food, to clean water, to clean spaces, but if none of us going to do anything about it, the who is responsible and from where is this justice comes from”.
Changing culture and economic scenario of Sindh was also discussed in which the history of the culture of Sindh and economic reforms were discussed. The education of girls and what are the challenges and opportunities in the implementation of non-formal education was discussed and solutions were devised for the future.
The two-day conference ended with a vote of thanks by Dr Najmonnisa Khan (Head of Department of Education, SZABIST) and the distribution of shields and souvenirs.
